A Twisted Love Affair-Chapter 196: On the Edge of the Unattainable, My Heart Itches (1)_1

Chapter 196: On the Edge of the Unattainable, My Heart Itches (1)_1

Zhou Luchen handed the phone back to Zhuang Ming.

It was only four in the afternoon. Zhuang Ming followed him into the elevator. "Are you going home to rest?"

The Second Young Master leaned against the elevator wall, a smirk playing on his lips. "Aren’t you tired standing there?"

Zhuang Ming straightened up and kept quiet.

Not tired. He was used to it.

Zhuang Ming discovered his phone was out of credit. He silently connected to the company’s network and topped up a thousand yuan.

His thoughts turned to Zhou Luchen and Shen Jing.

Now, it was the thrill of being on the verge of not quite possessing the other, yet neither was indispensable. They had shared warmth and intimacy, but since separating, both would, from time to time, feel that unbearable itch in their hearts. This was true for Zhou Luchen, and for Shen Jing as well.

Miss Shen truly knew how to play the game. She took advantage of the novelty before it faded, leaving whenever she pleased. Occasionally, she would casually appear before the Second Young Master, just to remind him of her presence.

Zhou Luchen drove himself, drifting through the bustling streets.

Zhuang Ming’s driving skills couldn’t match Zhou Luchen’s, so he dejectedly turned back to wait at the manor.

Wenxin hadn’t seen Zhou Luchen return by dinnertime and asked Zhuang Ming, "Is Achen caught up in social engagements again today?"

Zhuang Ming relayed the message in a low voice, "The Second Young Master said he’s gone to find Miss Joanna. He also said if you’re angry, you don’t need to wait for him for dinner."

Zhou Luchen didn’t even bother to pretend. If she wanted to be angry, she could be.

Wenxin let out a soft, humorless laugh. She then ate dinner leisurely by herself, fed the eagles, and returned to her room to work and rest.

Zhuang Ming watched her lonely figure. "You..."

Wenxin responded coolly, "What about me? If the Old Madam calls and asks, you all can explain about Joanna yourselves."

Zhuang Ming turned away. This Miss Wei is also itching for what she can’t have, he thought.

Chen Yao took Xing Fei abroad for a vacation, but they quarreled over accommodations. She wanted to stay in a hotel; Chen Yao wanted to buy a house. After the argument, Xing Fei returned to the country alone.

Chen Yao tried to coax her but failed. The young master, who had plenty of money and was thoroughly vexed, stayed alone in New York.

He invited Zhou Luchen out for drinks.

Zhou Luchen didn’t drink, merely sitting alone on the sofa, playing with his phone.

Chen Yao drank sullenly by himself, muttering, "It’s just a few tens of millions. Is that a lot to her?"

Zhou Luchen had no interest in Chen Yao’s personal affairs and didn’t want to listen to his complaints. He thrust a bottle of wine into Chen Yao’s hands, annoyed by his prattling.

Chen Yao put down the bottle. "Did you really break up with Shen Jing?"

"Are you blind?"

Chen Yao wasn’t blind. Having grown up together, he had seen too much along the way.

"Choose your marriage carefully. I truly don’t think you and Wenxin are suited for marriage. She has seen through you and no longer bothers with you, letting you be. You’ve seen through her too, no longer caring if she’s upset. What’s the point of getting married then? Her methods are indeed good enough to stand with you at the top. You said you initially agreed to take charge of United Group for the Zhou Family—what was the point? It would have been so much better to give it all to that scoundrel Zhou Xiangqun."

Zhou Luchen scoffed. "Don’t drag my entire family into your insults."

"Fine, your elder brother is the best."

Chen Yao downed his drink in one go and didn’t bring up these personal matters again. He returned to his room to find his passport. Seeing Zhou Luchen so dejected, he only wanted to go back and comfort Xing Fei.

The young woman just didn’t want him to always squander money. His own attitude had been too harsh, condescendingly accusing her of worrying needlessly.

"I’m leaving. Let me know when you return to Shanghai; I’ll arrange a banquet to welcome you. Also, Xing Fei told me Shen Jing’s grandmother isn’t well. To prevent Shen Jing from worrying, Xing Fei and someone with the surname Sun have been secretly taking care of her."

Zhou Luchen gazed at the silver maple tree outside the window, his expression indifferent, showing no discernible emotion.

He fumbled for his lighter, left the club, got into his car, and drove back to the manor.

The lights in the master bedroom on the second floor were still on.

Wei Wenxin had occupied the master bedroom as soon as she arrived, and Zhou Luchen had let her, allowing her to stay wherever she pleased.

Just as Chen Yao had said, she was no longer after his heart, only the title of Mrs. Zhou.

Zhou Luchen rarely disturbed her in the master bedroom. Tonight, however, the door was ajar. Through the sliver of light, he could hear faint sobs—slow and soft.

He pushed the door open.

She was slumped over the desk, her face hidden, her head resting on the computer keyboard. Her slender shoulders trembled occasionally.

Zhou Luchen started to close the door, not wanting to disturb her.

Just as the door was about to close, Wenxin, clearly sensing Zhou Luchen’s return, quickly wiped away her tears. Pretending nonchalance, she asked, "You’re back? Did you really go to see Joanna? Not staying the night with her? Willing to let such a beauty spend the night alone?"

Zhou Luchen’s voice was hoarse. "It’s none of your business."

BANG.

The door slammed shut.

「Two years.」

Specifically, she and Zhou Luchen had been together for two years and four months.

She would proudly declare everywhere, "My man is so outstanding and handsome! I need to work hard too. When you take over United Group, I’ll be your CEO’s wife and accompany you onto the international stage. Then we’ll truly be a well-matched couple!" 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

He hadn’t refuted her. He would teach her about business, teach her how to survive.

However, Zhou Luchen actually found it intensely annoying whenever she uttered the words "take over United Group." He would get angry, frown, and grow impatient.

Back then, she didn’t understand that he simply wanted to give United Group to his elder brother.

Back then, she had naively thought: His elder brother was just adopted by the Zhou Family, wasn’t he? With no blood ties, how close could such brothers truly be?